Folding table with paired legs



Nov. 30, 1954 J. HENLE FOLDING TABLE WITH PAIRED LEGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 51. 1949 INVENTOR. Ila/4N HENLE HUEBNER, BEEHLER WORREL, HERZIG GGALDWELL. BY TfATTORNEYS.

Nov. 30, 1954 J. HENLE FOLDING TABLE WITH PAIRED LEGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 51. 1949 v INVENTOR. domv HENLE HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WORRELHERZQAE GA BY United i m? atentv FOLDING TABLE WITH PAIRED LEGS John l-Ienle, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-fourth to Herbert A. Huebuer and one-fourth to Albert M. Herzig, both of Los Angeles, Calif. 1

Application May 31, 1949, Serial No. 96,198

2 Claims. (Cl. 311-87),

This invention relates to foldable furniture and more particularly to an improved mechanism by means of which furniture such as card tables and the like may be set up for use or collapsed and folded away when not in use.

Foldable furniture, particularly card tables, are known having legs which may be extended for use and folded in a plane substantially parallel with the table top when not in use. Some such tables, for example, have legs each of which independently pivots inwardly into a plane with the top either parallel to the sides of the table or diagonally across the underside of the table top and substantially through its center point.

Utilization of such prior art devices, however, has encountered several difficulties. In the first place, where attempts have been made to fold the legs individually parallel to one or another of the sides of a rectangular table corresponding to such legs, they protrude beyond the edge of the top along such edge. Especially is this true where an attempt is made to utilize a leg of greater length than the breadth of the top.

On the other hand, when it. was attempted to overcome the difliculty of securing a lengthened leg by folding the legs diagonally across the center of the table top, the legs cross and interfere with one another.

Another difficulty heretofore associated with foldable furniture is the absence of a convenient handle for trans porting the articles while in their folded condition. Oftentirnes where it has been desired to obtain convenient hand grips for such transport it has been necessary to add an otherwise useless handle.

A further difficulty has been associated with the fact that the folded articles, after being stored in a vertical plane parallel to one another, must be slid in and out of a stored position. Such storage and removal results in considerable abrasion to the otherwise finished surfaces of the legs, top or body of the equipment which usually are not designed for such purpose.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a foldable article of furniture incorporating a new and improved mechanism for releasably extending pre-determined body and leg portions for use or folding them for convenient storage in a manner to conserve storage space and permit sliding them into position.

It is another object to provide a new and improved article of foldable furniture in which the leg structure may be of greater length than the corresponding body portions to which they are attached.

It is specifically an object to provide anew and improved card table in which the legs may be of any desired length without interfering with the function or foldable qualities,

of the table.

It is another further'object to provide a new and improved linkage and holding means for foldable legs of an article of furniture of the character described.

Yet another object is to provide an'article ,of foldable furniture in which the foldable-structures form convenient runners upon which the foldable articles may he slid, or by \vhich they may be conveniently handled and manipulate a i It is furthermore an object to provide an improved, substantially U-shaped, pairedleg construction suitably shaped and positioned to serve as a table support in the vertical position thereof, while achieving attractiveness of appearance and desired styling, said legs being suitably curved at their upper ends to provide runners in the folded position of the table, and simultaneously-provid; 5;

2,695,826 Patented Nov. 30, 1954 ing appropriate hand-holds preferably on opposite sides of the table. I

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical elevational view of a card table embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the same, one set of legs being shown in a folded position.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the card table of Figure 1 showing the same in a totally folded condition.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detailed fragmentary view of an end of one of the legs of said table.

Figure 6 is a detailed fragmentary view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a vertical, elevational view of another embodiment of this invention as incorporated in a foldablc chair.

Referring more particularly to the drawings a table generally designated by the numeral 10 is formed with a top 11 and two sets of substantially opposed U-shaped paired legs 12 and 13 respectively. The top 11 may be of any conventional construction, but preferably includes a substantial marginal frame structure having mitered side pieces 15 secured together along their adjacent edges 16 by any conventional means as by screws, reinforcing brackets, corrugated nails or the like, not shown. If the top is made of metal these parts may be secured together by welding, or the like.

The top may also be formed with a preferably stepped center piece 17 which snugly fits into a corresponding complementary stepped structure 18 in the inner margin of the side pieces and optionally leaving only sufiicient space for the tight securement of any desired piece of covering material or fabric 19 for the upper face of said center piece. This construction of the top including the center piece is merely suggestive of a firm substantial form of top desired and may be varied within readily understandable limits by one skilled in the art of foldable furniture construction. Thus, for example, the edges may be merely vertical without steps, or they may be rounded, or beveled.

Secured to the under side of the table for each set of paired legs 12 and 13 are a pair of brackets 20 and a pair of clips 21, said clips being preferably inwardly disposed relative to said brackets or downwardly disposed relative to the table top, so as to engage each pair of legs in a manner to be set forth.

It may be noted that one pair of legs 12 is spaced relatively further apart than the other pair of legs 13 so that in the folded condition of the table the pair of legs 12 may encompass the pair of legs 13, as may be clearly seen in Figure 2, so that both of said pairs of legs fit snugly adjacent one another and lie against the under silde of the table top in substantially the same common p ane.

The brackets 20 are preferably formed with a base 25 by means of which they may be secured to the under side of the table top through the utilization of any conventional means such as screws 26. Struck outwardly at an angle of substantially from the base of the bracket is a vertical side 27 fitted with a pin 30 by means of which a link 31 is pivotally secured to the bracket. The lower end of the bracket is preferably formed with an ear 33 substantially paralleling the base of the bracket in a manner to accommodate a corresponding but opposite leg of the table and to releasably secure the same in its folded position between the base 25 of the bracket and the ear 33.

This construction of the bracket 20 permits the base and ear portions to be faced in either direction, i. e., disposed inwardly oroutwardly relative to the edge of the top depending upon whether the bracket acts as a pivotal support for the pair of legs '12 or the pair 13. Thereby the .ears appropriately serve the additional function of releasably engaging and securing the opposite leg in its folded position due to its pivotal connection with the link 31 through a pin 35.

The spring clips 21 may be of conventional construction providing a substantial recess 36 adapted to receive the cross bars 40 and 41 connecting the paired legs 12 and 13, respectively. For this purpose the clips may be further formed with a suitably curved end portion 42 by means of which cross pieces may be conveniently slipped into releasable engagement under said clips in a manner hereinafter to be described. Optionally, of course, the clips may be faced in any operative direction, such as downwardly as previously stated. The more firmly they retain their grip, however, the more readily the table may be transported without loosening the clipped connectron.

Inasmuch as the weight of the table will normally be supported upon the cross pieces, it is desirable to secure facing re-enforcing plates 43 to the under side of the table under the clips to provide a bearing surface for said cross pieces, thereby avoiding injury to the table due to the weight of the table as well as the sliding action of the cross pieces occasioned by repeated folding and unfolding operations. It is desired, although it is not essential, in the construction of the paired legs 12 and 13 that their upper ends adjacent the cross pieces in the folded condition may be carried upwardly, as illustrated in Figure 3, beyond the under side of the table top so as to provide a neat folded appearance of the table, and also to provide balanced handles or skids 45 by means of which the table may be conveniently carried or moved upon a surface while being held in a vertical folded position.

In the use of the table comprising a preferred form of this invention, the table may initially be positioned for use in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 wherein the paired legs are in a substantially vertical position and wherein the cross pieces are secured under their corresponding clips upon the same side of the table upon which the paired legs are respectively pivoted upon their brackets. In said extended position the cross pieces bear against the under side of the table and the plates. 43. The links 31 are of such a length and so spaced relatively to the legs and cross pieces that they furnish a triangular support for the table leg holding the same in extended position at a pre-determined angle which may be obviously adjusted by altering either the length of the links. or the positions of their pivotal support on the legs.

When the legs, the supporting links and other cooperc ating partsv are so spaced and proportioned relative to one another that the legs when in open position extend outwardly from the table at an angle as illustrated in said Figure 1, any downward pressure upon the table top wil ltend to force the cross pieces inwardly to a slight extent so as to prevent the same from becoming loosened from their engagement under the clips. Such an angular aspect of the table legs also provides a firmer foundation for the table by broadening the base upon which the table sits and moreover presents a pleasing and artistic total effect.

When it is desired to fold the table from its position in Figure l to that illustrated in Figure 3, the top may be placed in an inverted position or vertical position. The pairs of legs 12 and 13 may then be grasped at their ends most distal from the table top and forced inwardly using the pins 35 as pivots and the legs as levers to force the cross pieces outwardly and out of engagement with the clips 42, thereby permitting the links to be positioned parallel to the table and the legs to be folded inwardly in a plane with the top and also with said links until the same present the appearance of the folded table as illustrated in Figure 3.. In order to releasably secure the legs in said folded position they may be respectively pressed under the cars 33 in a manner to clamp them in position between the base of the bracket and said ears.

It will be understood that the material of which the legs are made is preferably metal tubing having something of a springy quality so that when the legs are are confined beneath the ears 33 of the bracket they tend to spring; outwardly to reassume their former normal shape, but such that they may be drawn inwardly towards one another to clear said, ears without permanently distorting their U-shaped appearance. Obviously, other materials such as plastic, wood, or the like, may be used instead of metal and any of said material may, of course, be given any conventional finish varying from a smooth chromium to a dull etched surface.

At their lower ends the legs may be provided with suitable resilient cushions or plugs 47 preferably of an outer hemispherical shape to conform to the exterior diameter of the tubular legs, but having a plug-like friction fit within the ends of said legs.

Referring now to the modified form of the invention embodied in a chair, as illustrated in Figure 7, the same may be furnished with a seat 50 and a back 51.

The seat may be formed of a single solid piece of material whether metallic, wooden, plastic, or the like, to the under side of which are secured brackets 52 having inwardly projecting base portions 53 and parallel ears 54 of a character and construction substantially similar to that described for the card table above referred to. Said seat is also provided with suitable clips adapted to receive cross bars 62 and 63 or the like formed in the forward pair of legs 65 and the rear-most pair of legs 66, the latter of which are preferably continuous with the back support 67, upon which the back rest 51 may be supported. The back rails and legs are preferably of a continuous piece of tubing bent in the form of an inverted U, the legs of which depend upon each side of the seat 50. These legs are provided with a bent area at the level of the seat for the purpose of giving more adequate support to the chair and a suitable, comfortable angle to the back rest 51. The legs and seat are pivotally connected by links 71 in a similar manner to that illustrated and described for the card table of Figures 1-6.

In order to fold the legs and back rest into a plane substantially parallel to the seat 50, the legs 65 and 66 may be pulled inwardly to release the cross bars 62 and 63 from their respective engagements under the clips 60 and these legs are preferably formed so that the forward legs are relatively closer together than the rear legs or vice versa in a manner to enable the forward legs to fit within the rear legs in the folded condition of the chair.

In order to unfold the chair the legs may be drawn outwardly and downwardly as heretofore described for the table so as to position the cross bars against the open ends of the clips whereby further outward pressure upon the legs forces said cross pieces under the clips into a substantially upright position as illustrated, the chair then beingready for use.

It will be apparent that the manner in which the legs of either the table or the chair are secured to the under side of their respective structures permits the use of a leg which is of substantially greater length than the total width of the table. top or seat under which it is desired to fold the same. The cross pieces are permitted to swing outwardly upon the links to which they are connected and therefore need not be entirely confined under the table. top or chair seat or the like as is required in conventional foldable tables and chairs now in current use. It is therefore. possible to provide a convenient foldable article of furniture having legs of any desired height. Thus, for example, a. card table measuring 3.0." across, the top may be. provided with legs 36." in length. or any other length desired without said legs protruding at their ends beyond the edge. of the top or frame in the. folded condition of the article in a clumsy and unsightly manner. Moreover, the constructiQn. is suchthat the parts are. susceptible of economical production and when properly made furnish a substantial, powerful and. attractively supported piece of furniture.

While his most, desira le to formv the legs in oppositely disposed pairs, each pair having a U-shaped' construction, this .mode of construction is not essential and the same may be individualy formed having a suitable individual cross piece or abutment for engagement with corresponding clips or other suitable detents. The pairing of the legs, however, has the additional advantage of requiring only two folding or unfolding operations, thereby facilitating and speeding these operations as compared with the usual necessity of folding each leg separately. It should; be noted that any equivalent of the spring clips 21 and. 60 maybe used. in lieu. thereof. For example, an. inverted U-shaped. clip or other detent may be provided;

By the teaching of this invention it is possible to make an article of foldable furniture having any number of legs such as three, four, five, etc., it being only preferable though not essential, that the same fit adjacent one another in the same plane in their folded condition.

It is the gist of this invention to provide an article of foldable furniture having a steady supporting structure of any desired height, independent of the dimensions of the article of furniture which enables the article to be readily folded and unfolded by a simple, substantially single movement of the supporting structure and adapted, when folded, to provide a useful and convenient handle and/or sliding rest projecting beyond the folded article.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may bemade therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures.

The invention having been herein described, what is claimed and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a table, a table top having opposed side edges, a U-shaped leg normally disposed in each such respective side edge, link means pivotally securing each said leg to the underside of the table top at a first fixed point spaced inwardly from its said table side edge and at a second point spaced along said leg from the cross arm of the U, releasable means under the table top between said first point and said table edge on each side for releasably retaining the cross arm of the U in a manner to hold the opposed arms of the U generally normal to the table on each side, and second releasable means under said table top for releasably retaining said arms in a second position parallel to said table top in which the opposed arms of the respective Us overlap, the improvement comprising said cross arms of the U being ofiset upwardly toward said top edge and extending above and beyond said edge of the top in said second position as a handle for carrying the table with the top in a generally vertical dependent position from said handle.

2. In a table as defined in claim 1, each of said legs being of continuous tubular metal stock, and said parallel and cross arms of the U being curved at their junctions as selective floor runners for the corresponding edges of the table top in said second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 161,597 Decker Apr. 6, 1875 632,304 Alsberg Sept. 5, 1899 907,423 Tilley Dec. 22, 1908 915,061 Arnt Mar. 16, 1909 1,944,757 Ritter Jan. 23, 1934 1,945,130 Beiger Jan. 30, 1934 2,177,169 Brown Oct. 24, 1939 2,178,172 Johnson Oct. 31, 1939 2,178,248 Bristow Oct. 31, 1939 2,329,213 Neutra Sept. 14, 1943 2,478,271 Isherwood Aug. 9, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,458 Great Britain 1905 416,605 Great Britain Sept. 18, 1934 811,027 France Apr. 5, 1937 

